Paula M. Trief

A prospective study of psychological predictors of lumbar surgery outcome.

Study Design. Prospective design in which 102 patients were evaluated with a battery of psychological assessment tests 1–2 weeks before surgery, and outcome was assessed 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Objectives. The study examined whether three aspects of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and hostility) predict several surgical outcomes (employment status, subjective pain change ratings, and changes in functional abilities). Summary of Background Data. Surgery for back pain has been shown to yield poor results in 15–45% of patients. Tools are needed to identify those “at risk” for poor outcome. Aspects of emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and hostility, have been found to be relevant to various illness outcomes (e.g., cancer, heart disease), but their influence has not been prospectively evaluated for back pain surgical outcome. Methods. Study patients completed measures of distress before surgery, including the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Depression Scale, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, and Cook–Medley Hostility Scale. At 1-year follow-up, patients completed pain change ratings, functional abilities measure (Dallas Pain Questionnaire), and questions about employment status. Results. Multivariate regression analyses, controlling for significant demographic variables, found that failure to return to work was predicted by presurgical anxiety (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.01); failure to report improvement in pain was predicted by presurgical somatic anxiety (P < 0.01) and depression (P < 0.058); and failure to report improved functional abilities was predicted by presurgical somatic anxiety (P < 0.01) and depression (P < 0.05). Hostility did not predict any outcome. Regression analyses found a strong predictor to be a combination of the Zung Depression Scale and Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, known as the Distress and Risk Assessment Method (DRAM). Conclusions. These results indicate that screening for presurgical distress is likely to identify those patients at risk for poor outcome. Studies to evaluate whether presurgical psychological treatment improves outcome are warranted.

Rehabilitation of the patient with chronic back pain: a search for outcome predictors

This prospective study was initiated 3 years ago to evaluate the outcome and to identify predictors of success or failure in patients admitted to a rehabilitation program for chronic low-back pain. Multiple parameters were evaluated, including psychologic data (MMPI, personal interview, pain drawing, etc.), physical measurements (flexibility, strength and endurance), and demographic data concerning the patients home and working environment. Information was available on each patient admitted to the program prior to his admission, at completion of the program, 6 weeks following completion of the program and 3 months following completion of the program. A telephone interview was carried out 2½ years following the patients discharge from the program. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the important independent variables with regard to the dependent variables of relief of back pain, return to work and increased activities at home. Demographic data were of no value as a predictor with the exception of age and returning to work. The patients over the age of 50 returned to work with much less frequency than those less than 50. Psychologic information from the MMPI and similar tests were of no value. The personal preadmission interview of a trained psychologist, however, was a good predictor of an individuals eventual return to work and overall improvement. Workers Compensation and other litigation was a negative factor in a patients prognosis. The treatment teams prognosis at the time of discharge from the program was the best overall predictor of a patients chance of success or failure in the longterm.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Diabetes: Co-Morbidity and Outcomes in a Male Veterans Sample

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of comorbid diabetes and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder(PTSD)and potential relationships between PTSD and diabetes outcomes. Male patients enrolled in a VA primary care database (N = 73,270) were classified as having diabetes from pharmacy records (N = 14,438) and grouped into those with diagnoses of PTSD with depression (N = 649), PTSD-only (N = 480), Depression-only (N = 1696), Other psychiatric diagnosis (N = 736), or No psychiatric diagnosis (N = 10,877) based on the Purpose of Visit diagnoses in the medical record. Outcomes included glycemic control (HbA1c), cholesterol and tryglycerides. Correlates were age, substance use disorder, other psychiatric diagnosis, number of primary care encounters, and medications. The prevalence of comorbid diabetes and PTSD was 8% (n = 1129). Of these, 57% (n = 649) had comorbid depression. Patients with PTSD and depression had higher rates of substance use disorder and higher cholesterol and LDL. Patients with depression had poorer glycemic control. Patients with PTSD and depression weighed more and had higher BMI than patients with neither diagnosis. Thus, male diabetes patients with PTSD and depression may be vulnerable to substance use disorders and to weight/lipid problems that can affect health. Depression is a likely contributor to poor glycemic control. Careful screening for mental health comorbidities is needed for diabetes patients.

Alexithymia and somatic amplification in chronic pain

A controlled study was undertaken to assess alexithymia and somatic amplification among 50 medical outpatients with chronic pain referred for psychiatric consultation. Data were collected on demographics; DSM-IV diagnoses; and measures of anxiety, depression, and alexithymia, assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), as well as somatic amplification, assessed with the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS). Data analysis revealed low scores on the TAS-20 and SAS for the pain patients, compared with a control group without pain. In this sample, depression and anxiety were the primary determinants of alexithymia and somatic amplification, rather than pain. These findings suggest that psychological markers for chronic pain may be different from those for other somatoform disorders.

Psychosocial Outcomes of Telemedicine Case Management for Elderly Patients With Diabetes The randomized IDEATel trial

Diabetes case management (DCM) may improve medical outcomes (1,2). Case managers coordinate care and often provide a mix of interventions, e.g., telephone outreach, education, reminders. However, the efficacy of DCM is unclear. Three systematic reviews lend only limited support for the efficacy of DCM for improving glycemic control but none for lipid, weight, or blood pressure benefits (3–5). DCM studies typically target biomedical outcomes and ignore potential psychosocial effects. Yet, psychosocial variables (e.g., depression, anxiety, social support) relate to hyperglycemia, complications, adherence, and quality of life (6–11). Thus, a positive impact of DCM on these factors is important. Two studies did assess psychosocial outcomes of DCM and found improved self-efficacy and satisfaction (cluster visit) (12) and quality of life (dietitian-led DCM group) (13). Because barriers (e.g., distance, weather) limit DCM access, telemedicine can be used. A review of telemedicine versus face-to-face trials concluded that, while feasible and acceptable, there is little evidence that telemedicine has clinical benefits (14). Our team published results of a trial of telemedicine DCM versus usual care for elderly diabetic patients (15). The intervention resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control, blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol (16). The purpose of the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) project, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of telemedicine with a diverse, medically underserved, elderly diabetic sample. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the IDEATel intervention on secondary psychosocial outcomes. A detailed description of the IDEATel study design has been previously reported (15,16). Medicare recipients were recruited if they were aged ≥55 years, diagnosed with diabetes, and without moderate/severe impairments or comorbidities. Research nurses blinded to the groups …

Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes Baseline data from the TODAY study

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and relationships to quality of life and demographics in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study’s large, ethnically diverse youth with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 704 youth with type 2 diabetes <2 years’ duration, aged 10–17 years, and BMI ≥85th percentile completed depressive symptoms and quality of life measures. RESULTS Some 14.8% reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, and older girls had significantly higher rates than older boys. CONCLUSIONS Rates of significant depressive symptoms were similar to those of healthy adolescents and lower than those of teens with type 1 diabetes. Elevated depressive symptoms, particularly in older girls, suggest clinicians assess vulnerability.

Adherence to diabetes self care for white, African-American and Hispanic American telemedicine participants: 5 year results from the IDEATel project

Objectives. Adherence to diabetes self care is poor for Hispanic American and African-American patients. This study examined the change in adherence over time and in response to a telemedicine intervention for elderly diabetes patients in these groups compared to white diabetes patients. We also examined whether adherence mediated the effect of the intervention on glycemic control (A1c). Design. The Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine project randomized medically underserved Medicare patients (n=1665) to telemedicine case management (televideo educator visits, individualized goal-setting/problem solving) or usual care. Hispanic and African-American educators delivered the intervention in Spanish if needed. Main outcome measures. Annual assessment included A1c and self-reported adherence (Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities scale). A simple model (only time and group terms) and a model with covariates (e.g., age) were examined for baseline and 5 years of follow-up. SAS PROC Mixed was used with non-linear terms to examine mediating effects of adherence on A1c, by performing tests of the mediating path coefficients. Results. Over time, self-reported adherence improved for the treatment group compared to usual care (p<0.001). There was no significant interaction with racial/ethnic group membership, i.e., all groups improved. However, minority subjects were consistently less adherent than whites. Also, greater comorbidity and diabetes symptoms predicted poorer adherence, greater duration of diabetes and more years of education predicted better adherence. Adherence was a significant mediator of A1c (p<0.001). Conclusions. A unique, tailored telemedicine intervention was effective in achieving improved adherence to diabetes self care. However, African-American and Hispanic American participants were less adherent than white participants at all time points despite an individualized and accessible intervention. The finding that adherence did mediate glycemic control suggests that unique interventions for minority groups may be needed to overcome this disparity.

Promoting Couples Collaboration in Type 2 Diabetes: The Diabetes Support Project Pilot Data

A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a couples focused diabetes intervention in which a collaborative problem-solving approach to diabetes self-care was promoted. Couples (N = 44), in which one partner had Type 2 diabetes and was in poor blood glucose control were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a couples intervention, an individual intervention, or individual diabetes education. The intervention included goal-setting, dietary behavior change, and a focus on emotions. For those in the couples arm, this was done within the framework of promoting collaborative communication between the partners. All intervention contacts were over the telephone to increase reach. Results showed that both the individual and couples interventions yielded meaningful clinical improvements in medical outcomes. Diabetes education also resulted in improved blood glucose control. Despite the small number, mixed-model regression analyses found statistically significant treatment effects for total cholesterol. This pilot demonstrates the feasibility and potential efficacy of a telephone intervention for Type 2 diabetes patients and their partners. Information from implementing this pilot led to refinement and further development of the intervention, which is being assessed in a larger, more comprehensive trial.

Psychosocial outcomes of telemedicine case management for elderly patients with diabetes: IDEATel, a randomized trial

Diabetes case management (DCM) may improve medical outcomes (1,2). Case managers coordinate care and often provide a mix of interventions, e.g., telephone outreach, education, reminders. However, the efficacy of DCM is unclear. Three systematic reviews lend only limited support for the efficacy of DCM for improving glycemic control but none for lipid, weight, or blood pressure benefits (3–5). DCM studies typically target biomedical outcomes and ignore potential psychosocial effects. Yet, psychosocial variables (e.g., depression, anxiety, social support) relate to hyperglycemia, complications, adherence, and quality of life (6–11). Thus, a positive impact of DCM on these factors is important. Two studies did assess psychosocial outcomes of DCM and found improved self-efficacy and satisfaction (cluster visit) (12) and quality of life (dietitian-led DCM group) (13). Because barriers (e.g., distance, weather) limit DCM access, telemedicine can be used. A review of telemedicine versus face-to-face trials concluded that, while feasible and acceptable, there is little evidence that telemedicine has clinical benefits (14). Our team published results of a trial of telemedicine DCM versus usual care for elderly diabetic patients (15). The intervention resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control, blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol (16). The purpose of the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) project, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of telemedicine with a diverse, medically underserved, elderly diabetic sample. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the IDEATel intervention on secondary psychosocial outcomes. A detailed description of the IDEATel study design has been previously reported (15,16). Medicare recipients were recruited if they were aged ≥55 years, diagnosed with diabetes, and without moderate/severe impairments or comorbidities. Research nurses blinded to the groups …

Diabetes management assisted by telemedicine: patient perspectives.

This qualitative research focuses on understanding the experiences of elderly patients with diabetes who participated in a telemedicine case management intervention, to better understand the barriers to success of telemedicine with the elderly. Telephone interviews were conducted with elderly patients with diabetes prior to and 6 and 12 months after participating in a case management intervention delivered via a computer that allowed them to teleconference with a nurse and dietitian, upload blood glucose and blood pressure data, and access educational materials. Qualitative analyses revealed that patients enrolled primarily because healthcare providers encouraged them. Their goals were to improve diabetes control, with few expectations of an effect on emotional health or family relationships. After involvement, they particularly valued the emphasis on monitoring of health outcomes and supportive contact with diabetes staff to encourage, remind, and answer questions. Findings illustrate the potential value of telemedicine with elderly patients with diabetes, if supported by primary care providers and including consistent, supportive interactions with knowledgeable diabetes healthcare providers.